Form I-864 tax transcipts needed for previous year (outside of us)

[MJShe 0]

I searched the forum and found similar cases, but yet slightly different from my case.

I am a German/US dual citizen and my wife is currently a J-1 visa holder. We have almost all documents ready for her Green Card application. Only Form I-864 is still causing us a headache.


I moved to the US January 2014 to start my new job. I successfully filed my taxes for year 2014; however I have never filed any taxes with the IRS prior to 2014. I did not live in the US before 2014.

I understand that I have to file taxes for the previous years with the IRS even though I paid taxes in a different country.


My question is what is the best way to file taxes with the IRS for previous years if I earned my salary and paid my taxes in a different country? Do websites like Turbotax.com accommodate such scenarios?


Thank you very much in advance.

[Ryan H 3,815]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Tax & Finances During US Immigration forum.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

You can get the forms on the IRS website for the previous years and fill them in on paper if you can follow directions.

You may only need Form 1040 and Form 2555EZ if you had no investment earnings.

TurboTax may charge you a lot to do previous years. I have never looked.

[MJShe 0]

@Nich-Nick

Thank you for the reponse.

Form 2555EZ on the IRS website is for the last tax year, i.e. 2014.

I have already filed taxes for 2014, but I am looking for a way to file taxes for the previous years. Form 2555EZ only asks for income generated abroad for 2014 and not for the previous years.

Do I still use this form for y 2013, 2012?

Thank you.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

@Nich-Nick

Thank you for the reponse. Form 2555EZ on the IRS website is for the last tax year, i.e. 2014.

I have already filed taxes for 2014, but I am looking for a way to file taxes for the previous years. Form 2555EZ only asks for income generated abroad for 2014 and not for the previous years.

Do I still use this form for y 2013, 2012?

Thank you.

Use this page and type the form number in the box that says "Find" http://apps.irs.gov/app/picklist/list/priorFormPublication.html

Type in 2555EZ then click the Find button. The years are in the right column. Both forms and instructions are listed.

Each year the maximum exclusion changes. That is Line 13. You have to look in the instructions for that same year to find the number.

Line 13

2013- $97,600

2012- $95,100

Edited February 3, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[MJShe 0]

Thank you so much!!

[MJShe 0]

According to uscis.gov I can file form I-130 (petition for alien relative) and from I-485 (app. to register permanent residence) together, but form I-864 (affidavit of support) is a separate application.


When do I file I-864? At the same time as form I-130 and I-485 or do I have to wait for a confirmation of some sort?

Also where do I file it to? The instructions do not provide an address.


Your help is much appreciated.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

According to uscis.gov I can file form I-130 (petition for alien relative) and from I-485 (app. to register permanent residence) together, but form I-864 (affidavit of support) is a separate application.

When do I file I-864? At the same time as form I-130 and I-485 or do I have to wait for a confirmation of some sort?

Also where do I file it to? The instructions do not provide an address.

Your help is much appreciated.

I-130 (petition) has a whole set of supporting forms and documents. Read the instructions for the I-130 for what supports the form. Prepare those. Put a big paper clip on the whole set.

I-485 (adjustment of status) has it's own set of forms and supporting docs. Prepare those. By reading the I-485 instructions you will see that the I-864 is part of that package. Put a big paper clip on that whole set.

Then put both packages in the same Priority Mail envelope. They are separate applications and may have duplicate things in each like proving you are a US citizen. They are filed concurrently.

Visa Journey has a guide to help you. If you are on a phone, then forget that on get on a computer. See the blue menu bars at the top of the page. Click on "Guides". On the guide page look down the left column until you find the link for "US citizen and spouse both live/reside in the US". That will help you with what each application needs.

[MJShe 0]

Follow up on Part 6 (13.a. to 13.c.1.) I finally got my tax return transcript for 2014.

The question arises which figure should I use for my Total Income (13.a.1.)

Do I use the Total Income figure on page one of the transcript or the Total Gross Income listed under Adjustments to Income on page two of the transcript?

For 13.b.1. and 13.c.1. (tax year 2013 and 2012) I have a Foreign Earned Income Exclusion because my tax home wasn't the USA.

Do I put 0 for 13.b.1. and 13.c.1.?

Thank you in advance.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Which form did you file--1040, 1040A, 1040EZ?

[MJShe 0]

I filed form 1040.